Footage of Kendrick Johnson entering gym

Story highlights

His body was found rolled up in a gym mat at Lowndes County High School

Authorities ruled the death accidental; Kendrick's parents believe he was murdered

Michael Moore, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, is expected to make an announcement Thursday in the case of Kendrick Johnson.

The Georgia teen was found dead inside a rolled-up high school gym mat this year.

It's unclear what exactly Moore will say. He has previously said he was reviewing the case and weighing whether to open an investigation. A news conference is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET Thursday.

Surveillance images and other materials that could shed light on the January death must be released to the boy's parents, a Lowndes County judge ruled Wednesday.

"We are happy to hear we are one step closer to the truth," Kendrick Johnson's father, Kenneth Johnson, said after the hearing.

A state medical examiner ruled Kendrick, a high school athlete, suffocated after getting stuck in the gym mat. His parents -- who believe he was murdered -- disputed the findings and won a court order to have their son's body exhumed for another autopsy.

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New evidence in the Kendrick Johnson case

CNN has obtained surveillance video, which was part of what the judge ordered released, showing Kendrick walking along a school hallway and into the gym where he was later found dead. Another student is seen walking in ahead of him.

The video also shows Kendrick inside the gym, walking out of the shot, and other students playing basketball.

The materials released by the judge -- photographs from inside the gym at Lowndes County High School, surveillance video from outside and investigative documents -- are unlikely to prove what happened to the boy, Johnson family attorney Chevene King said.

None of the imagery is believed to show what led to Kendrick's death, King said.